Lone Wolf Unleashed - avoid exhaustion, reclaim your time using tools, systems and AI

Most people are still using AI like a chatbot. They're leaving capability on the table.Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed." In this episode, I break down the three layers that separate a chatbot from an actual agent — one that can do your work, not just talk about it.You'll learn the exact framework for building AI agents that integrate with your tools, follow your workflows, and operate with the right context:Layer 1 — Connections: How to give your AI "hands" to reach into task managers, calendars, and documents. Mike covers MCP (Model Context Protocol), GPT actions, and practical integration methods across ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot.Layer 2 — Playbooks: Teaching your AI your specific workflows. How to write procedures it can follow, set safety rails, and define step-by-step processes. Includes a worked example of automating daily standups.Layer 3 — Identity: Defining who your AI agent is. The four components (role, directives, knowledge domain, routing) that turn generic AI into a specialist that knows when to push back and when to execute.I'll share real examples from my own setup: Claude connected to Obsidian for automated note-taking, Asana for task management, and GoHighLevel for pipeline tracking. You'll see how I've eliminated manual work while maintaining control.This builds on the previous episode "Make Tasks Easy with AI Agents" — listen to that one first if you're just getting started.Whether you're using ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI tool, this episode gives you the structure to move from assistant to agent.🔗 Lone Wolf Unleashed site – https://lonewolfunleashed.comMentioned in this episode:You might also like...Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

Most people think work falls through the cracks because people are busy, distracted, or unreliable.More tools. More check-ins. More chasing.This episode doesn’t blame people.It points to something simpler.The handoff.When work moves from one task to the next.From one person to another.From “done” to “ready for the next step”.That moment is where most businesses slow down.Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed."In this episode, I break down why communication is not a separate task, and why if you’re not communicating, you’re not actually performing the work.I explain how processes really work in the real world, why handoffs matter more than individual tasks, and how unclear expectations quietly destroy speed, trust, and cash flow, even in small, well-run businesses.Using everyday examples and client scenarios, I show how missed handoffs force unnecessary follow-ups, extend cycle times, and keep founders stuck managing instead of moving forward.This isn’t about more meetings.And it’s not about micromanagement.It’s about designing your processes so the right thing is with the right person at the right time, without chasing.We cover:Why communication is part of performance, not an extra responsibilityWhat a handoff actually is and why it’s the weakest point in most processesHow poor handoffs increase cycle time and hurt cash flowWhy founders struggle when hiring their first team memberHow to set clear communication expectations inside your processesWhat to document alongside tasks so work keeps moving without follow-upThe payoff is simple.Less chasing.Less managing.Less work falling through the cracks.You spend less time checking in and more time executing.That’s how you free yourself up without growing a business you don’t want to manage.And that’s how Lone Wolf Unleashed helps you build systems that give you back time, clarity, and control.Chapters / Timestamps00:00 Why work really falls through the cracks00:48 A simple example of how processes break02:23 Why communication equals performance03:45 Cycle time, speed, and cash flow04:30 A real example of a missed handoff06:24 Why the handoff matters more than the task06:50 Hiring, trust, and communication expectations07:50 Reducing management time without micromanaging08:48 Designing processes that actually flowLinks:🔗 Lone Wolf Unleashed site – https://lonewolfunleashed.comMentioned in this episode:You might also like...Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

Most people think saving time in their business means automation, software, or hiring help.New tools. New systems. More complexity.This episode doesn’t do that.Because the fastest win is simpler.Stop rewriting the same things.Standardise what doesn’t need thinking.Get your evenings back.Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed."In this episode, I break down why templates are one of the most underused tools for solo operators and small teams, and how they quietly unlock massive time savings without automation or extra staff.I walk through real examples from client work, including how a single report template cut review time from an hour to fifteen minutes, reduced caseloads, and delivered a 422% productivity increase.This isn’t about bureaucracy.And it’s not about making work soulless.It’s about doing the thinking once, so you don’t have to keep doing it every day.We cover:Why templates matter more than process maps or proceduresHow to identify what should be standard and what should stay customSimple ways to structure templates so they’re fast to use, not annoyingWhy templates are the foundation for automation, not the other way aroundHow AI can help you build templates quickly without overengineeringThe payoff is straightforward.You stop starting from scratch.You copy, paste, and change the few things that actually matter.That’s how you reduce admin without building a bigger business than you want.And that’s how Lone Wolf Unleashed helps you switch off sooner and live larger.Chapters/Timestamps00:00 Why templates deserve more attention01:19 Why templates matter more than process documents02:37 A real example of time saved with a single report template05:04 What should and shouldn’t be standardised05:40 Templates vs automation, and why order matters07:17 Using AI to spin up practical templates quickly08:51 How to design templates so they’re fast to fill out10:06 Choosing your first task to templatiseLinks:🔗 Lone Wolf Unleashed site – https://lonewolfunleashed.comMentioned in this episode:You might also like...Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

Most people talk about AI agents like they’re some big technical project.New tools. New workflows. New jargon.This episode doesn’t do that.Because the real win is simpler.Stop doing repeat work. Get your time back.Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed."In this episode, I walk through a real use case from my program. A not-for-profit leader trying to email politicians for funding, and how we built a custom AI workflow to tailor emails to the recipient’s communication style.This is not “let AI write everything”.It’s a practical framework.Start with a solid template.Use AI to research the person’s style from what they’ve already said publicly.Benchmark it against DISC.Then have the agent rewrite the email so it actually lands for that person.The payoff is simple.You stop writing from scratch.You copy, paste, and only change 1, 2, 3 things, not seventeen. Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…Timestamped summary00:00 Why this episode exists, using AI to improve written communication Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…02:22 The starting point, building a custom agent with a template first Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…03:55 The research step, pulling public interviews and content Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…04:53 The key insight, we communicate how we like to be communicated with Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…06:09 Feeding the template back in and tailoring it to the person Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…07:40 Custom projects in Claude and ChatGPT, and how to structure them Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…08:18 Why it matters, time saved and faster outreach volume Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…09:57 Using Whisper Flow so you can speak instructions instead of typing Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…11:16 The “my first agent” link and what it includes Lone Wolf Unleashed - Make Task…Links:🔗 Lone Wolf Unleashed site – https://lonewolfunleashed.com🔗 My First Agent – https://lonewolfunleashed.com/myfirstagent

Most business advice about going solo sounds the same.Quit the job. Take the leap. Freedom awaits.This episode doesn’t do that.Because sometimes the opposite is true.Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed."In this episode, I share a real conversation that stuck with me. A retired dental technician. His former colleague who went solo. And the moment one of them realised that leaving employment had quietly delayed his retirement by years.It’s not a story about failure.The business was working. The money was fine.But the numbers didn’t stack up the way he assumed they would.We talk about the trade-offs nobody really runs before going out on their own.Income versus risk.Flexibility versus responsibility.And how easy it is to build a business that only works when you do.This isn’t anti-entrepreneurship.It’s pro-awareness.If you’re running solo, or thinking about it, this episode is a reality check worth having before the clock runs down.Timestamped summary00:00 A Christmas conversation that sparked this episode01:20 Employment vs business, the moment of realisation02:45 When “doing well” still isn’t enough03:50 The hidden workload of solo ownership05:10 Risk, pricing, and why many businesses underpay themselves06:30 Flexibility myths and where freedom actually comes from08:10 The question you should answer before quitting your job09:40 What I don’t want you to end up regretting